Ignacio Scocco's future will be decided next week when his agent arrives on Wearside for talks with Sunderland.

The 29-year-old only joined the Black Cats in a £3m move from Brazilian club Internacional in January.

He failed to score in eight appearances, six of them as a substitute.

And with Gus Poyet due back at the Academy of Light this weekend, following his stint as a studio analyst for ITV’s World Cup coverage, the Sunderland head coach is keen to resolve Scocco’s future.

Argentinian outfits Boca Juniors and River Plate have ruled themselves out of the running for the striker, who favours a return to former club Newell’s Old Boys.

But with two years left on his current contract and Sunderland determined to make their money back, Newell’s are unlikely to be able to meet the asking price, while their favoured option of a loan move is understood to be a non-starter.

As such, Scocco’s agent, Fabian Soldini, is expected on Wearside next week to discuss his options, though his client seems likely to begin pre-season at the Academy of Light.

Meanwhile, sources in Italy claim Sunderland have instructed Liverpool they are prepared to pay £8m up front, plus a further £2m in add-ons, to sign Fabio Borini.